2002 XC70 Transmission Service Urgent - Cannot Drive when Hot

**kef** · 03-17-2015, 01:21 PM

Hi All,

The transmission on my 2002 XC70 at 229k miles suddenly went to sporadic shifting and transmission service urgent message came on with the D changing to a minus sign. I was driving a about 40 MPH with light driving when it happened. Soon, it became difficult to take off from start, but was able to limp home with higher than normal engine revs. CEL light also came on. The CEL scan revealed Gears 2, 3, 5 incorrect ratio. Cleared the codes. The problem remained. The transmission fluid level was good, but was a bit dark.

The next morning, I got off the garage in reverse with no problem, then put in drive (though a bit jerky with a bit of a delay) and drove off with normal shifting. Then, after the engine warmed up, it started to become difficult to move. I limped back home.

My question:

Could this be a valve body problem and not necessarily the inner workings of the transmission? I ask this because it drives ok when cold but get worse when hot.

I have since flushed the transmission with Mobile 3309 as plan A, but with the same effect -- Starting from cold it shifts hard (jerky) in 1st gear, then drives OK, and then becomes difficult to move. Transmission service urgent comes on.

Appreciate your inputs...

Thanks!

**billr99** · 03-17-2015, 04:13 PM

Sounds a bit like when my '02 lost its gear selection switch, which is the approx. 4 in square box at the end of the gear selector cable on top of the gearbox right behind the driver side headlight. It came up on a VIDA/DiCE scan so it might be wise before you go too far to get a scan.

Cheers,

Bill

**JRL** · 03-17-2015, 04:28 PM

No Bill, he said it's OK when cold which is how they start to fail

This is how they go bad, when hot...but with over 200K miles a valvebody will likely do no good.
It's full transmission replacement time or part it out as that costs more than a 2002 XC is worth with those miles
(Sorry)

**vtl** · 03-17-2015, 05:02 PM

Valve body.

**JRL** · 03-17-2015, 05:44 PM

Not with over 200K
Won't solve the problem

**vtl** · 03-17-2015, 06:09 PM

Originally Posted by JRL

Not with over 200K
Won't solve the problem

What do you think went of mechanically? Symptoms sound to me like bad SLS solenoid.

**billr99** · 03-17-2015, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by JRL

No Bill, he said it's OK when cold which is how they start to fail

This is how they go bad, when hot...but with over 200K miles a valvebody will likely do no good.
It's full transmission replacement time or part it out as that costs more than a 2002 XC is worth with those miles
(Sorry)

Yeah, probably right. Still think the OP should get a scan though to eliminate, if nothing else, the easy and/or cheap possibilities first.

Cheers,

Bill

**JRL** · 03-17-2015, 07:08 PM

Everything
Valvebody
Clutch packs
Bands

**kef** · 03-17-2015, 07:46 PM

Originally Posted by JRL

Everything
Valvebody
Clutch packs
Bands

So why does the performance change between cold and hot? Is failure when hot due to the inner workings of the transmission: clutch packs, banks, or the valve body alone or a combination of both?

One other thing I forgot to mention: When the engine starts to warm up, it feels like it shifts to higher gear quickly as if changing from 1st to 4th gear when driving a manual transmission. Then, it just barely moves.

I don't mind undertaking the valve body work first and take my chances (excellent procedure written here: http://www.volvoxc.com/0/resources/h...ment-Notes.pdf). The engine, body and interior are in very good shape and don't yet feel like parting from it...